There are currently 45 apps on the Bloomberg App Portal,
developed by third party groups from financial institutions to software firms
and academia. The apps are currently split into categories including data
analysis, news and research, portfolio management and risk analysis, valuation
and pricing, data visualisation and technical analysis.

The service, launched on Thursday, gives those wanting
to develop software for the finance industry a fast-track to get their product
in the hands of users by developing and launching an app from the service’s
website.

Bloomberg subscribers pay for the apps as the App
Portal, run by Bloomberg’s Enterprise Products and Solutions business, has a licensing
arrangement separate from the Bloomberg Professional service. Customers can
also test applications before purchasing them.

Tom Secunda, co-founder and global head of Bloomberg’s
Financial Products and Services group, said the service would boost creativity
in the financial tools space.

“Cultivating the third-party developer community is
critical to enhancing the user experience and growing the value of the
Bloomberg Professional service,” Secunda said. “The Bloomberg App Portal
extends our commitment to embrace innovation and fuel creativity in the
financial marketplace.”

Developers must undergo a formal review process for
their app and can receive technical and business support from the Bloomberg
team as part of the development programme.